Dragon Robes home page Formal Court Robe (chao-fu)

China Formal Court Robe (chao-fu) Embroidery on silk, ca. 1875-1900 Qing dynasty 51" H Gift of Mrs. John Sheafe Douglas 1954: 24 Dragon medallion from apron skirt back of robe

The five four-clawed dragon medallions on the upper skirt indicate that this robe belonged to a middle-ranking court official.

The emperor’s formal court robes were in the same style as this chao-fu, but were distinguished by color (bright yellow, light blue, deep blue, or red depending upon the occasion) and their decoration. The emperor’s robe bore nine dragon medallions rather than the court official’s five, and each dragon had five claws (lung) rather than four (mang). While wearing these robes, the emperor conducted grand ceremonies to insure the well-being of the empire.

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